Arranging My Bride, page 1
Arranging My Bride
Alexa Riley
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
Chapter 1
Read Me Romance
Stalk the Author
Copyright © 2022 by Author Alexa Riley LLC. All rights reserved.
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http://alexariley.com/
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Edited by Aquila Editing
Arranging My Bride
by Alexa Riley
Amelia’s family is traditional, and they’ve set up a royally approved arranged marriage. When she finds out the person they chose for her is not only her long time crush, but the notorious club owner Prince Felipe, she’s dreading her walk down the aisle.
Felipe has waited his whole life to marry Amelia. No matter what the tabloids say, he’s stayed faithful to her. He can’t wait a moment longer to make her his bride, so he decides to get an early taste of what’s to come.
Warning: Can the stranger that goes down on his knees in the dark be the same one that’s going to put a ring on it? You betcha!
Chapter One
Ameila
I take a calming breath because I know what’s coming. From birth it was known that one day a husband would be picked for me, and throughout my life I’ve had a wide range of emotions on the matter.
At times I hated the idea and wanted nothing to do with it. Then others, I thought it was the right thing to do. I was born into this, and it was how I served and played my part. Right now, I’m more resigned than anything. It’s the last thing a girl should feel with an upcoming wedding.
I’m sure once I find out who has been chosen for me, I’ll know how I truly feel. I know the short list of men that my father will likely pick, and I don’t love any of them. Well, not anymore. Not since I grew up and got a taste of the real world. Not all men are honorable or take marriage seriously. Some have standards for themselves and different ones they hold for their future bride.
“Are you excited?” My little sister Mara bounces on her heels, making the pigtails that I put in her hair this morning sway. “You’re going to fall in love.” She lets out a dreamy sigh, and I recognize that used to be my reaction as well.
The world hasn’t burst her bubble yet. It was easier to stay in the fantasy that whatever husband was picked for you would work out. Our own parents are madly in love, and they too had an arranged marriage. It took the real world slipping into my life to see that’s not always the case.
“I am.” I force a smile because I don’t want her to worry.
None of my potential husbands sparked anything inside my heart. I know it’s silly to go off pictures and Google searches to think you know someone, but a girl has to take a peek. I’ve only ever met one person on the list, and I know for a fact there was no spark there.
A few years ago, things would have been a little different. Prince Felipe of Andora has captivated me for some reason. Even as a young girl when I saw him on television with his parents or in the news, I was drawn to him. There was something about him that always pulled at my curiosity.
I’m sure being devilishly handsome has a huge part to do with it, but really, I didn’t think my family would be high enough in ranking or pedigree for our pairing to be a match. Which is saying a lot because we come from a strong lineage. He’s also a bit older than I am, but he’s still single.
Then again, maybe Prince Felipe’s own pedigree stock has dropped over the years. He’s been in the gossip pages more often than not, and it wasn't something to do with his family. No, it’s all gossip about his nightlife. That’s what had broken my heart long ago. He wasn’t the prince I’d made him up to be in my head. He was out there having his fun while whoever his future wife would be is locked away waiting for him to finally call on her to do her duty. I feel sorry for that woman.
“Honey, are you coming?” my mom asks, popping her head into my bedroom.
“Now?” I try to stall, but it’s pointless. “What do you think of my dress?” I say as I turn in a circle.
“It’s beautiful.” She steps into my bedroom. “Is that for the Monarch Charity event this weekend?”
“Yes.” I gently sway my hips, loving how the dress moves and makes the gold sparkle more.
“Your father and I can’t attend.” She rests her hand over her chest and starts to fiddle with the necklace I gave her for her birthday a few years ago. It’s a locket containing a photo of me, Mara, and my brother, Cillian. She always plays with it when she’s thinking.
“I’m old enough to marry but not go to an event on my own? One that I had a hand in?”
Her eyes soften. “Honey, I think you’re going to be quite happy when you find out who's been chosen.” I stare at her, not buying it. I’ve seen the list. I suppose Jacob Himworth wouldn’t be a terrible choice. He seems nice. I met his sister once and she was lovely. “But I think it will be okay for you to go alone since by then people will know that you’re promised.”
“Right.” I turn to offer my mom my back so she can unzip me and I can change.
“It’s going to be okay,” she whispers into my ear. “Meet us downstairs.”
She takes Mara’s hand, leading her out of my bedroom. I let the dress fall, stepping out of it and hanging it away from the rack of other dresses that was brought over for me to try on.
I quickly change into a sweater and jeans before I head downstairs to my father’s office where both my parents and my brother Cillian are waiting for me. My mom closes the office doors behind me when I enter.
“You’ve picked someone,” I say when I enter, wanting to get it over with.
My dad stands from his desk and comes around the front to lean on it. My brother is in his normal suit stretched out on the sofa, but I can tell he’s pissed. More so than normal.
“Prince Felipe of Andora,” my mom blurts out before my dad can say it.
“No!” I hiss, and my heart has this funny flutter. It’s not the same as it was when I saw Felipe in pictures before. Now there is an ache to it.
“He’s not worthy of her,” my brother grumbles.
“You’ve been in love with him since you were a little girl,” my mom tries to reason. She doesn’t like when any of us are upset.
“Yes, I was a silly girl.” I fight back tears, not wanting to act like a child. I’ve spent the last two years trying to prove to them I’m an adult now.
“You should know better than to believe what you read in the tabloids, Amelia,” my dad says gently.
“Where there's smoke there’s fire.” My brother is quick to come to my defense. He always has been.
“Have your mother and I ever steered you two wrong?” Dad pushes off the desk, making his way over to Mom.
He can never go long without touching her if they’re in the same room. He’s always seeking her out. Their love is something I’ve dreamed of having, and it’s why at one time I’d been so open to the idea of an arranged marriage.
“No,” I admit, but Cillian only glowers from his seat. I think he’s met Felipe because he hates the idea of me marrying him too.
“Then this is settled,” my dad says, and I nod before I turn and walk from the office as calmly as I can. I need to leave before I say or do something I can’t take back.
It’s bullshit. My soon-to-be husband is out there doing god knows what with whoever he wants. He’ll likely have mistresses before the ink on our wedding decree is dry. It’s so hard to fathom that my parents think this will be a good match for me.
When I enter my room, I walk over to the dress I picked out for the upcoming event. My whole life I’ve always done what was expected of me and never broken one rule. I’ve been the perfect daughter. At times people even called me “The Ice Princess” for it.
I run my fingers down the soft material. I think it’s time to have a little fun of my own for once. It’s my turn to break a few rules.
Chapter Two
Felipe
“So it’s done?” I stand from the chair in my father’s office as he nods.
“Her father and I made the agreement, and your mother has given her blessing.” He goes back to writing on a paper in front of him and then he hands it to me. “This is what they offered as her dowry.”
“I don’t want it,” I say without even glancing at the paper.
“It’s a substantial amount for their limited resources.” He continues to hold up the paper, and I wave it away.
“Tell them I’ve decli ned. If she’s to be my wife, I’m responsible for her well-being, and that includes her finances. If they insist, place it in a trust for her or her younger sister. I’m sure they’ll need it when it’s her time.”
“That’s noble of you,” my father says as he places the paper on his desk.
“Careful, Father, or someone might hear you.” I walk over to the mirror nearby and straighten my suit jacket.
“Why must you let everyone believe the worst in you?” He sighs like he’s so tired of my shit.
“Because it makes it easier to sort out the ones who are only around me for the opportunity my wealth affords them.”
He doesn’t disagree as I turn to face him. “Then explain something to me.”
I wait without saying a word because I know the question he’s going to ask. He’s already asked it a dozen times.
“Why her?” He waves his hand to a stack of envelopes at the corner of his desk. “You’ve had offers from two dozen fathers practically begging you to take their daughters off their hands.”
“I have my reasons” is all I say while I fiddle with my cufflink.
“Are you staying for lunch?” my mother asks, stepping into my father’s office. She doesn't look at him, and he doesn’t acknowledge her.
“No, I can’t stay. Give my best to Glenda.”
“Your sister’s been asking for you all week.”
My mother is trying to guilt me into staying for lunch, but the last thing I want to do is sit in that giant dining room with my parents in complete silence while they take turns asking me questions they don’t want the answers to.
I’ll never understand how they were able to be in the same room long enough to make a child, let alone three of them. My little brother River is away at camp this week, which gives my parents even more time to focus on my life and how they think it should be lived. Being the oldest and the heir, the weight of getting married is heavy on my shoulders. I’ve waited a long time for this day, and now that it’s done, I’m ready to sign on the dotted line as soon as possible.
“My sister has already spoken to me this morning.” I raise an eyebrow at my mother, and she presses her lips together in frustration. It’s subtle, but I know her probably better than my own father.
They were an arranged marriage, but it was borne from greed. My grandparents on both sides made the arrangement without their knowledge in order to expand their wealth by joining businesses. While the business thrived, my parents began to dissolve, but there was no way out for them. So instead they’ve lived in separate wings of the house like strangers, and they’ve shown me exactly what I don’t want in my marriage.
“Going to another club?” my dad asks, and I want to roll my eyes.
“Since I own them? Yes.”
“It’s a disgrace for someone of your breeding to have such a low-class investment.” My mother literally turns her nose up.
“Considering this is my money and not yours, you don’t really have a say.”
This is what I think really bothers them. When I was a teenager, I got a job behind their backs and started making my own money. I had wealth beyond my imagination, but even at fifteen, I knew I didn’t want it. There’s no pride in being given money, so instead, I set out to earn my own. Since then, I’ve invested in places I knew my rich friends would blow their fortunes. Night clubs, casinos, and bars were where I put all my money, and it paid off in riches. They emptied their daddies’ wallets into my businesses, and I made my own wealth, independent from my family.
The last and only thing I needed from my parents was this arrangement. My marriage.
If I went to Amelia’s parents directly, it would have questioned her reputation and possibly caused a scandal. I have to do this properly if I want it to work. And I will make it work.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I take it out. “I need to go.” My father stands from his desk and I nod to the both of them. “I’ll see you at the benefit?”
“Yes, of course.” My mother’s tone is soothing, and she’s trying to make nice. “Don’t forget you’re escorting your sister.”
“I remember.”
When I get outside, the valet is waiting with my car door open. I’m sure they expected me to be gone by now because I never stay long.
My phone vibrates again, and I answer it.
“Are you coming to Back Room tonight?” my best friend Beckett says as a greeting.
“No, I’ve got a long meeting with the accountants. My brain will be fried after.”
“Boring.” I can practically hear him roll his eyes.
“You say that as if it wouldn’t be boring at Back Room.”
“Well, at least there when you mope in your office, I get free drinks.”
“Beckett, do you think they’re free? When was the last time you checked on your tab?”
“I have a tab?”
“Maybe you should meet the accountants with me.” He laughs, and I check the time. “I’ve got to go, but are you coming to the Monarch benefit? Please say yes. I’ll need someone to keep me awake since I promised to escort Glenda. You know how awful these things are. People showing off their money and only donating pennies to the actual charity.”
“Is Glenda back from school already? I’m surprised they’re allowing kids at these parties.”
“You really have no concept of time. She’s come of age, and this is her first event.” My phone vibrates, and I see it’s the accounting office calling. “I’ve got to run. See you at Monarch?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there,” he says before I hang up the phone.
“Felipe.” I answer the other call and hear Jim, my account manager, on the other end.
“I needed to confirm a couple of things I saw on the list of discussion points tonight. Am I seeing this right? Are you really consolidating your assets?”
“I intend to sell.” My voice is matter-of-fact, and there’s a quick pause on the other end.
“If you don’t mind, can you explain why? Your businesses are some of the most profitable I’ve ever seen. Why don’t you take on a partner to manage your duties while you reap the benefits? It makes no sense to sell them.”
“I’m getting married, Jim. And as soon as I say I do, things are going to change around here.”
Chapter Three
Amelia
“What the hell?” Cillian mutters as I make my way down the stairs. “You’re lucky Mom and Dad are gone.” He shakes his head in disapproval, but I’ve been thinking the same thing. Then again, I wouldn’t have tried to wear this if they’d been home. I’m actually worried Cillian is going to make me change. “You’re wearing a coat.”
“You don’t like my dress?” I ask, trying to keep a straight face. It's not that it’s too much, because a lot of girls dress this way. The difference is I’m never one of them. For too long, I’ve let myself believe that my body would only belong to my forever love. That it would be this special bond for us alone, but now things have changed. I’ve been naïve for far too long, and if my future husband is going to show himself off, why can’t I?
When I get to the bottom of the steps, I turn in place. I had the dress altered a bit to let it dip lower in the front, and then I had the straps removed as well. What Mom doesn’t know won’t kill her. Today at least.
I’m not sure if she’ll see pictures later and put together it's me, but most likely she'll be able to figure out which one I am even with the mask on. I should’ve gotten a whole new dress, but I love the way this one sways when I walk. The alterations might have been small, but they made a big difference for me. I don’t think I’ve ever shown a peek of cleavage in my life, and with this strapless push-up bra, everything is on display.
“Mom saw this dress?” Cillian is in a classic tux with his mask in hand.
